"It was difficult," Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay told the Indianpolis Star this week of his decision to cut quarterback Peyton Manning. "You wait until the last possible second (to make the decision) even though a month or so before you could see the writing on the wall.

"We used all the time we could just because you didn't want to have to face the realities that were sitting before us. Every time you turned the Rubik's Cube whichever direction, there was no way of having it come out a different way."

Irsay paused.

"It just wasn't solvable. It became apparent what had to be done ... then we had the very difficult press conference."

"There wouldn't have been a Robert Mathis or a Reggie Wayne," Irsay insisted. "There was no way we could have put (Manning) on the field with the type of team we would have fielded."

However, knowing what had to be done and actually doing it took a toll.

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Breaking down the Broncos quarterback's 2013 season.

"Peyton was part of the family and had done so much for the franchise and the city," said Pete Ward, the Colts Chief Operating Officer and Irsay's right-hand man. "I know how special he was to Jim Irsay.

"Certainly this wasn't an easy thing emotionally for Jim or anyone here."

Former Colts coach Tony Dungy offered counsel to Irsay on several occasions.

"I felt for him," he said. "It was something he never, ever contemplated. But the way things went, he felt like it had to be done.

"But it still was painful. I didn't think it was going to happen. I didn't ever perceive Peyton playing for another organization. I knew how Jim felt about it."

In the weeks leading up to The Decision, Irsay and Manning talked. They discussed Manning's health and how much arm strength he had regained. At one point, Irsay floated the possibility of Manning restructuring his contract. In lieu of the team paying the $28 million option bonus that would be part of a four-year, $63.6 million deal, Manning would accept an incentive-laden package that would reward him if he made a full recovery.

But Manning had all the leverage and wouldn't restructure his contract. The Colts would have to pay him the roster bonus or cut him and allow him to sign a big contract with another team.

What once seemed impossible to Colts fans, was now clearly — and painfully — inevitable.

Mayor Greg Ballard, like thousands of people in central Indiana and beyond, is a Manning fan. He owns a No. 18 jersey (although if he wears a Colts jersey to Sunday's game against the Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium it will be Reggie Wayne's No. 87). His wife, Winnie, has a pink No. 18 jersey.

Ballard followed the story as it meandered from January to February to March 7.

"It wasn't a shock to me because it seemed to play out in a matter of weeks and weeks," he said. "The facts presented themselves and people started talking about it.

"You could start doing the logic. But I was like just about every other citizen. It's not easy to see Peyton leave because he meant so much to us and gave so much to the city."

(1999) 13-3, 4,135/26/15: Indy had a remarkable 10-game turnaround in Manning's sophomore NFL campaign and struck a blow to Willie McGinest (55) and the pre-Belichick Patriots by winning the AFC East in a non-strike season for the first time since the Colts relocated to Indianapolis in 1984. Stephan Savoia, AP

(2000) 10-6, 4,413/33/15: Manning had more juice in his legs when he was 24, but 2000 also still remains one of his better statistical seasons. He established personal bests for yards, TDs and passer rating (94.7) and has rarely surpassed the first two figures since. The Colts notched a wild-card berth that year. Rhona Wise, AFP

(2001) 6-10, 4,131/26/23: Manning's uphill battle against the Patriots began in earnest during a forgettable season for No. 18 but the first in which Tom Brady and Co. would win a ring. But 2001 was also the last time Manning would play for a team with a losing record or one that failed to reach postseason or even win fewer than 10 games. Winslow Townson, AP

(2002) 10-6, 4,200/27/19: Members of the newly formed AFC South, Manning and the Colts returned to the playoffs in 2002 but lost 41-0 to the Jets in the wild-card round. Criticism that Manning couldn't win big games, a knock that had followed him since college, grew following his third consecutive postseason defeat. Kathy Willens, AP

(2003) 12-4, 4,267/29/10: Manning shared the first of his record four NFL MVP awards with the late Steve McNair (9). Manning also got off the playoff schneid, leading the Colts to two postseason wins before falling to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Mark Humphrey, AP

(2004) 12-4, 4,557/49/10: Manning took home another MVP after his most prolific statistical season to date. He set league records for TD passes and QB rating (121.1) -- both since eclipsed -- despite sitting out approximately six quarters during blowout wins and a meaningless regular-season finale which he exited shortly after starting. WRs Marvin Harrison (88), Reggie Wayne (87) and Brandon Stokley (not pictured) each gained over 1,000 receiving yards and had 10 TDs through the air ... Scott Halleran, Getty Images

(2005) 14-2, 3,747/28/10: This was shaping up as a magical run as the Colts began the year 13-0. But it was marred by tragedy -- coach Tony Dungy's son, James, committed suicide -- and a stunning home playoff loss to Troy Polamalu (43) and the Steelers. Sam Riche, The Indianapolis Star

(2006) 12-4, 4,397/31/9: Redemption came as Manning and Dungy guided the Colts past the Bears in a rainy Super Bowl XLI for the franchise's first championship in 37 years. Manning, who finally vanquished the Patriots in a memorable AFC title game at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, was named the Super Bowl's MVP. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports

(2007) 13-3, 4,040/31/14: The Colts appeared primed for a Super repeat but instead suffered another one-and-done playoff flameout, this time to Shawne Merriman and the Chargers. Sam Riche, The Indianapolis Star

(2008) 12-4, 4,002/27/12: Armed with a third MVP award and seemingly superior team (Indy ended the regular season with nine consecutive victories), Manning got another crack at the .500 Chargers in the 2008 postseason. But the Bolts electrocuted the Colts again, this time in overtime. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports

(2009) 14-2, 4,500/33/16: Manning notched his fourth MVP, surpassing Brett Favre's previous standard, and led the Colts to another AFC championship. However his luck ran out in Super Bowl XLIV when he came up short to his hometown New Orleans Saints. Matt Detrich, The Indianapolis Star

(2010) 10-6, 4,700/33/17: Manning set then-NFL records for completions and attempts in a season while carrying the Colts to their seventh AFC South crown. However a year after their AFC Championship Game loss at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Jets returned to craft a 17-16 wild-card upset. It turned out to be Manning's final game with the Horseshoes. Andrew Mills, The Star-Ledger via USA TODAY Sports

(2011): Lacking a contract, Manning received the franchise tag in the offseason before undergoing neck surgery. It took time for the severity of his injury to crystallize, and the Colts even signed Manning to a five-year, $90 million pact in July. However he never played a down in 2011 and required multiple surgical procedures. Michael Conroy, AP

(2012): On March 7, a day many never would have imagined, Manning and Colts owner Jim Irsay announced an amicable divorce in an emotional press conference bidding the quarterback goodbye after 14 years. Manning joined the Broncos two weeks later. Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

(2013): Manning will oppose his justifiably ballyhooed Colts successor, Andrew Luck (12), for the first time Sunday in what might ultimately be the most memorable NFL homecoming of all time. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports

The March 7 press conference was televised nationally by ESPN and NFL Network. Not everyone tuned in.

The ability to select Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft certainly played into the Colts' decision to cut ties with Manning. But despite his central role in the drama, Luck didn't witness Manning's farewell act as it unfolded.

"I saw highlights on Sportscenter," he said. "I was in class or working out."

His expectations leading up to The Decision?

"I don't think I would have been surprised either way," Luck said. "Having grown up in sports ... coaches are fired and people leave and come and go. That's just the way it is."

Former Colts linebacker Gary Brackett was swept up in the roster purge following Manning's release. The casualty list included tight end Dallas Clark, running back Joseph Addai and safety Melvin Bullitt. Center Jeff Saturday was one of several veterans not re-signed.

"It shows you this is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league," Brackett said. "You see it happen with Joe Montana and other guys."

'Perfect wrong storm'

When the 2011 training camp opened July 31, Manning signed a five-year, $90 million contract. It included the $28 million option bonus to protect the Colts in the event Manning's neck issues curtailed his career.

Manning had been a Colt since 1998. He considered the new deal one that would take him into retirement.

"I will be an Indianapolis Colt for my entire career," Manning said at the time. "I won't play for another team."

Irsay echoed Manning's sentiments, but circumstances changed.

"You so much wanted to see the story of him winning (another) Super Bowl or two like (John) Elway did, and retiring a Colt," he said. "That's always what we envisioned when we signed that last contract. It was such a relief.

"I'm a great believer in history and continuity. Anyone who knows me knows how dear those things are to me. It just wasn't meant to be."

Irsay points to "a perfect wrong storm."

"It really couldn't have been done any other way," he said.

Now what?

What remains unclear is the toll The Decision took on the relationship between Manning and Irsay.

There was sparring in the weeks leading up to March 7. Some of it dealt with Manning's health. It's believed some of the verbal salvos from Manning's camp came after the Colts gutted their coaching staff; including strength and conditioning coach Jon Torine, who had worked closely with Manning.

During a conference call this week with Indianapolis media, Manning declined to comment on his relationship with Irsay.

"I can't, and I won't," he said.

Irsay called Manning on Wednesday.

"With his schedule and practicing, I haven't heard back from him," he said. "He's a historical icon and a great friend of mine.

"In my heart of hearts, you know how much appreciation I have for Peyton's greatness and what he did for this organization and city."